Spectra: Spectroscopy obtained by S. C. Williams (Lancaster) et al. on 2018 Aug 9.93 UT with the FRODOSpec spectrograph on the 2-m Liverpool Telescope indicate that the object is a Fe II-type galactic nova in the early stages of an eruption (ATel #11928).

b. P. Schmeer writes that the Pan-STARRS1 source PSO J174224.016-205308.866 (position end figures 24.013s, 08.90"; i= 20.17 mag) and the Vista variable VVV J174224.02-205307.77 are both 1" away from the reported coordinates of the transient. The amplitude of this eruption is at least 11 magnitudes. No outbursts or eruptions were detected by the ASAS-SN Sky Patrol since 2015 Feb. 16.